Flying machine



,v 2 H. STEIGNERI 1,733,033

FLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 4, 1929 INVENTOR.

HENRY STEIENER Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES HENRY STEIGNER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA FLYING MACHINE U Application filed January 4, 1929. Serial No. 330,162.

This invention relates to improvements in flying machines and has particular reference to that type of flying machine commonly called a motorless plane.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby manpower may be utilized for the purpose of propelling the vehicle during flight.

A further object is to provide means Whereby the manpower so applied will be actuated without fatigue to the user.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the apparatus will function automatically upon each stroke of the foot levers.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompany drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employedto designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary de- 25 tail view showing the manner of actuatlng the propelling surface or plane, and

Figure 3 is a top plan view ofmy plane.

Many various forms of gliders or motorless planes have been flown recently and have succeeded in remaining in the air for a considerable period of time. I have provided means whereby the user of the plane can himself keep a plane in flight through the medlum of pedals and levers which Wlll actuate a driving surface or plane and I have further provided means whereby the physical effort required to actuate this driving surface Wlll be only that corresponding to the weight of the human body. It is of course obvious that I might employ any form of leverage to accomplish my purpose without departing from the spirit of my invention. The invention consists essentially in the raislng of a propelling surface gradually and then releasing the surface so that a plurallty of strong springs will cause the same to move to its normal position with considerable speed and force, thus driving it forward.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the body of the machine having a tail 6, ground wheels 7 and 8 and supporting planes or wings 9. The wings extend to the opposite sides of the body as is the customary practise. Ailerons may be provided if desired but as the same form no part of my invention they will not be further considered.

Within the body 5 I provide a space for the user of the plane and as shown in Figure 1 a steering wheel is connected to the wheel 7 so that the device as a whole may be controlled while upon the ground and steered in any desired direction. A pair of pedals as shown in dotted lines at 11 and 12 are so positioned that the user stands thereon. These pedals are capable of up and down movement and are connected to levers 13 and 14 through the medium of cables 16 and 17 respectively.

Referring now to Figure 2, a portion of the frame is shown at 18'and is provided with an upstanding lug 19 into which a shaft 21 is freely rotatably supported. Secured to this shaft are a plurality of rearwardly extending arms 22 to which the propelling surface 23 is secured. This propelling surface is normally held in the full line position of Figure 2 by a plurality of springs 24. The levers 13 and 14 are each provided at their rear ends with an opening 26 therein which opening is of the same size as the cornered corner diameter of the squared shaft 21. An ofl'set recess 27 is formed in the lever and connects with the opening 26. This recess is of the same size as the squared shaft 21. The lever 13 is provided with a cam 28, which cam is adapted to engage a bar 29 carried upon the frame 18. A spring 31 is attached to the arm 13 and to the frame for the purpose of returning the arm to its normal positio after use.

p The operation of'my device is as follows Assuming that the parts arranged asshown in the figures of the drawing andjthat the propelling surface or plane 23 is in the position shown in Figure 2, the user of the plane steps upon one of the pedals with the result that the pedal being in the full line position of this figure causes the shaft 21 to be rotated, thus lifting the propelling surface against the tension of the springs 24 until it reaches the dotted line position of this figure. At this time the cam 28 will engage the bar 29, which will result in the lever 13 moving laterally so as to bring" the squared shaft into the circular opening 26. As soon as this happens the spring 24 will function to give the propelling surface a quick downward movement. This will cause a compression of the air below the propelling surface and a vacuum thereabout or a condition which is desired in order to cause forward travel.

By alternately working the pedals 11 and" 12 the propellingsurfacewill be continuously flapped with the, result that the plane will move in accordance with the wishes of the user.

It Will thus be seen that I have produced a device which will accomplish all the objects above set forth.

It is to be understood that the formof my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention .or the scope of I the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the a squared shaft, a propelling surface attached :to said shaft, means for actuating said pro pelling surface, said means comprising a-Le-vier having a recess formed therein and adapted to engage said squared shaft, said lever being further provided with an opening in communication with said recess and a cam secured to said lever in such a manner that when said lever is actuated said cam will cause saidshaft to move from said recess into said opening, and tension means adapted to resist the movement .of said lever for the purpose of returning said propelling surface to its normal position after said lever has been released from said shaft.

2. In a device of the character described, a squared shaft, a prope ling surf-ace attached to said shaft, means for actuatin said propellingsurface, said means oomprisinga lever having a recess formed therein and adapted to engage said squared shaft, said lever :being further provided with an opening in communication with said recess and a cam secured to said lever in such a manner that when d lever is actuated said cam will cause said shaft to move from said recess into said opening for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HENRY S'IEIGL ER.

character described, 

